Archeologists
believe that there have been people living in the area for about 12,000
years. The abundance of natural resources attracted the earliest people,
and the Osage Indians frequently used this area for hunting. The Cherokee
Treaty of 1828 opened the area to white settlers from eastern states.
In 1840, a small settlement was established around a log church known as the
Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church, giving the town its original name. The community
grew big enough to need a post office. However, Arkansas already had a town
named Shiloh. Due to the abundant local springs, “Springs in the Dale” was
suggested. The town was incorporated officially as Springdale in 1878.
The arrival of the railroad in 1881 connected local farmers with distant markets
and Springdale became a busy hub for produce to be sold, bought, canned, and
shipped around the country. In the early 1900s, farmers started experimenting
with poultry growing, which led to serious investments and innovations. By
the end of World War II, poultry had taken over as the area’s most prosperous
industry. Tyson Foods became the largest producer of protein food products
world-wide. In addition, the local trucking industry boomed. Harvey Jones established
Jones Truck Lines which, by the 1950s, became the largest privately owned trucking
carrier in the country.
The growth of the poultry industry attracted more people to the area. As a
result of growing job opportunities, the Hispanic population tripled between
1990 and 1995. By 2006, they represented 33% of the city’s population.
In addition, the largest Marshallese population outside of the Marshall Islands
also resides in Springdale.
Today Springdale is a big part of the growing and prosperous economic powerhouse
that is Northwest Arkansas. The challenge for the future involves balancing
rapid growth with preserving the natural resources and beauty that first drew
people here.